The theme chosen this year is
"Oliver Goldsmith: Poet, Playwright and Novelist
- He touched nothing that he did not adorn"
Events
Please see the Programme (pdf) for this year's timetable and programme
Goldsmith International Literary Festival 2009.
Press Release.
In 2009 the Goldsmith Festival reaches the quarter century, a notable achievement and a most significant milestone in the literary history of the midlands. After 25 years it is well established as one of the foremost and highly respected literary festivals in Ireland. The weekend straddles the entire Goldsmith country starting in Abbeyshrule on Friday and culminating in Pallas on Sunday afternoon.
Over 25 years much prose and verse have been regurgitated. On that evening in early January 1985 when the chairman and secretary drove in the snow and frost to visit the late Canon John Corkery in Aughnacliffe, the nucleus of the first summer school was established. Over the years the festival has proved extremely popular for locals and visitors alike who listened, questioned, debated and put forward varied view points interspersed with the odd song and yarn. Conviviality prevailed.
The theme for 2009 "Oliver Goldsmith: Poet, Playwright and Novelist — He touched nothing that he did not adorn".
Goldsmith was buried in the Temple in the evening of Saturday 9th April 1774. His friends erected a monument to his memory. Doctor Johnson added a Latin epitaph, from which the following is translated.
"Oliver Goldsmith, Poet, Natural Philosopher, Historian, who left no species of writing untouched, or unadorned by his pen; whether to move laughter or draw tears, he was a powerful yet gentle master over the affections; of a genius sublime, lively and versatile; in expression noble, pure and elegant. His memory will last while Society retains affection, Friendship is not void of truth, and Reading is held in esteem".
The weekend commences on Thursday 28th May with the Art Exhibition in Cooney's Hotel in Ballymahon. The exhibition will be officially opened by well known artist Kevin Flood, and will afford an opportunity for many of the well known local artists to display their wares. The Innyside singers will conclude the evening with pleasant renderings from their vast repertoire.
On Friday 29th May the official opening by Mr. John Murray RTE takes place at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule. We are delighted to welcome back Doctor Andrew Carpenter who was with us in 1984 and Doctor Chris Wheatley from Washington who gave a lecture in 1997 Doctor Carpenter will deliver the key note address — "Goldsmith the Novelist" and Doctor Wheatley will chair the session. Musical entertainment will follow the formalities.
On Saturday, we move to the Bog Lane Theatre in Ballymahon. At 11:30am, Desmond Egan, well known and internationally recognised poet who was with us at the outset and has such close ties with the Goldsmith Country will talk on "Goldsmith the Poet". At 12:15pm, Doctor Brian Arkins University College Galway will talk on "Goldsmith the Dramatist". Chris Wheatley will give some insight into Goldsmiths contribution to Irish and English literature. At 3:00 pm Dr Fergus O'Ferrall will give a talk on "Goldsmith — politics then and now." These discussions will be chaired by Ollie Hegarty, Athlone IT and John 0' Donnell, former principal of Ballymahon Vocational School and former secretary and member of the committee.
At 4:00 pm on Saturday 30th May, the literary tour of the Goldsmith Country will visit the sites associated with Goldsmith — Ardagh, Forgnev Church, Lissoy Parsonage, the Busy Mill, the Hawthorn Bush, Kilkenny West (the decent church that topped the neighbouring hill) and the Three Jolly Pigeons.
On Saturday at 7:30pm the weekend reaches a crescendo at the Three Jolly Pigeons with traditional music and song. Some committee members will take to the dance floor and amaze the gazing rustics ranged around.
On Sunday the 31st May all roads lead to Pallas where results of the children's and adult poetry competitions will be announced and winning entries will be read by the winners. Poets, Noel Monahan, Mary Melvin Geoghegan and Desmond Egan will read from their own collections. Anne Tully will introduce the entertainments.
Weather permitting, this event at Pallas is hosted out-doors; cheese, wine and refreshments will be provided through the generosity of Pallas residents, Joe and Chris Farrell sponsors.
End of Press release.